Axially compressible bearing

Abstract

Disclosed is a bearing configured to couple a faucet spout to a faucet body. The bearing includes a plurality of fingers extending parallel to a central axis of the bearing. The plurality of fingers is configured to engage with the faucet spout at an intermediate position between a first end of the bearing and a second end of the bearing. The fingers are configured to exert an outward pressure to the faucet spout. The fingers are also configured to compress in a substantially axial direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A bearing configured to couple a faucet spout to a faucet body, the bearing comprising a plurality of fingers extending substantially parallel to a central axis of the bearing, wherein the fingers extend outwardly at an intermediate position along the fingers so that an inner diameter of the fingers at the intermediate position is greater than an inner diameter of the fingers at opposing ends of the fingers,
 wherein a portion of at least one of the plurality of fingers is configured to contact an inner surface of the faucet spout. 
 
     
     
       2. The bearing of  claim 1 , wherein the fingers are bowed radially outward and away from the central axis between the opposing ends of the fingers. 
     
     
       3. The bearing of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of ribs disposed proximate to an end of the bearing. 
     
     
       4. The bearing of  claim 1 , further comprising a flange disposed at an end of the bearing and extending radially outward from the bearing. 
     
     
       5. The bearing of  claim 1 , wherein the fingers are bowed radially away from the central axis in multiple positions between the opposing ends of the fingers. 
     
     
       6. The bearing of  claim 1 , wherein each one of the fingers is formed in a V-shape. 
     
     
       7. A bearing, comprising:
 a body having a first end and a second end, the body defining an opening, the body comprising a plurality of fingers extending substantially parallel to a central axis of the body, the plurality of fingers separated from one another by a plurality of slots extending through the first end of the body, wherein a first portion of the fingers extends away from a base of the slots at an angle away from the central axis, wherein a second portion of the fingers extends between the first portion and the first end, and wherein the second portion of the fingers is angled with respect to the first portion back toward the central axis, 
 wherein the bearing is configured to couple a faucet spout to a faucet body and wherein a portion of at least one of the plurality of fingers is configured to contact an inner surface of the faucet spout. 
 
     
     
       8. The bearing of  claim 7 , wherein an inner diameter of the second portion at the first end of the body is less than an inner diameter of the second portion away from the first end. 
     
     
       9. The bearing of  claim 7 , wherein the fingers are bowed radially outward and away from the central axis between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
       10. The bearing of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of ribs disposed proximate the second end of the body. 
     
     
       11. The bearing of  claim 10 , wherein the ribs extend from the second end of the body toward the first end, and wherein the ribs are oriented parallel to the central axis of the body. 
     
     
       12. The bearing of  claim 11 , wherein a height of the ribs along the central axis of the body is less than a height of the slots. 
     
     
       13. The bearing of  claim 7 , wherein the body further comprises a flange disposed at the second end of the body and extending radially outward from the body. 
     
     
       14. The bearing of  claim 7 , wherein the fingers are bowed radially away from the central axis in multiple positions between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
       15. The bearing of  claim 7 , wherein each one of the fingers is formed in a V-shape. 
     
     
       16. A faucet assembly, comprising:
 a faucet body comprising a ledge, a post extending away from the ledge, and an upper lip proximate to an upper end of the post; 
 a faucet spout; and 
 a bearing including a plurality of fingers, the bearing disposed between the faucet spout and the faucet body, wherein:
 a first end of the bearing is engaged with the upper lip; 
 a second end of the bearing is engaged with the ledge; and 
 the bearing is bowed radially away from the post between the first end and the second end, 
 
 wherein the fingers are configured to compress axially by pressing against the upper lip and the ledge in response to a radial force applied to the bearing by the faucet spout when the faucet spout is coupled with the faucet body. 
 
     
     
       17. The faucet assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of fingers are engaged with the upper lip of the post at an end of the fingers. 
     
     
       18. The faucet assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the fingers are bowed radially away from the post at multiple positions between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
       19. The faucet assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the bearing further comprises a plurality of ribs disposed at the second end, wherein the ribs are engaged with the faucet spout. 
     
     
       20. The faucet assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the bearing further comprises a flange extending radially outward from the bearing at the second end, and wherein the flange is engaged with and disposed between an axial end surface of the faucet spout and the ledge.